Beginning the journey of 1,000 miles
Sailing legends Lin and Larry Pardey, who popularized the "go small, go now" mantra, understood that voyage prep is rarely ever finished and sometimes good enough is, and it's simply time to shove off.
After installing a second holding tank, vacuum gauges for the fuel system, and getting the engines aligned and serviced, we decided that the remaining prep items could be finished underway. We (and Molly) were ready. We'd spent enough time at the dock tending to "one last project."
Katlynn Marine had treated us well, helping us source parts, loaning us tools, even allowing us to stay on their docks free of charge for weeks after Molly's launch, so when it was time to go, I think we all felt a little like we were leaving home.
We topped up Molly's fuel and water tanks and headed on a short shakedown to Little Sodus Bay, a port about 12 nautical miles east of Sodus Point and home to a charming B&B with gracious owners and a guest dock. In my typical - obsessive - manner, I spent the two-hour trip monitoring Molly's engines, gauges, and systems, listening and looking for anything that might be amiss. Nothing was. Molly's engines chugged along at 1200-1400 RPM, pushing her at a comfortable 6.5 knots into moderate seas. Her engine temps and oil pressure remained steady. We were on our way.
We motored into Little Sodus and tied up in front of Pleasant Beach Hotel just in time for dinner.
Leila wasn't too keen on having us leave her in the boat while we went ashore, and she quickly found a perch with a view.
The following morning we walked into town for breakfast at an old country store turned eatery, and then made a stop at the famous Fly By Night Cookie Company, known not just for its tasty treats but also for its peculiar miniature museum.
A few years ago I happened upon an article about a schooner being lovingly restored by her new owners. Her name was Sara B. As it turns out, she spends her summers moored in front of the Pleasant Beach Hotel. What a treat to see her in person. If you'd like to read more about her, click here: http://sarab.brownroad.com/ and https://www.woodenboat.com/register-wooden-boats/sara-b
Exiting Little Sodus Bay channel, we pointed Molly's bow toward Henderson Harbor and the Thousand Islands. Our trip for the day would cover a distance of approximately 40 NM, leaving Oswego to starboard, as we made a diagonal across Mexico Bay and gave Molly a second, and slightly more strenuous, shakedown.
Once again, Molly performed flawlessly. We dropped anchor in Henderson Harbor under cloudy skies and made plans to head to Sackets Harbor the following morning. The Captain grilled up some delicious steaks on his father's day present, a new Magma grill, and we all went to bed full and content, pleased with Molly's first two days of travel.
After installing a second holding tank, vacuum gauges for the fuel system, and getting the engines aligned and serviced, we decided that the remaining prep items could be finished underway. We (and Molly) were ready. We'd spent enough time at the dock tending to "one last project."
Katlynn Marine had treated us well, helping us source parts, loaning us tools, even allowing us to stay on their docks free of charge for weeks after Molly's launch, so when it was time to go, I think we all felt a little like we were leaving home.
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| Leila, my dad's GS pup, quickly adjusted to life aboard. |
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| The boys spent quality "bro" time together fishing, playing, working. |
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| Jake managed to catch scores of fish, among them this beautiful bass. |
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| And there were moments of pure summer bliss after a long day of work aboard Molly. |
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| The boys helped out with pre-departure chores, which included marking the anchor rode. |
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| Katlynn Marine is home to several nice boats, this one a Shannon. I typically got up around sunrise and walked the docks, admiring the boats, while the rest of the family slept. |
We topped up Molly's fuel and water tanks and headed on a short shakedown to Little Sodus Bay, a port about 12 nautical miles east of Sodus Point and home to a charming B&B with gracious owners and a guest dock. In my typical - obsessive - manner, I spent the two-hour trip monitoring Molly's engines, gauges, and systems, listening and looking for anything that might be amiss. Nothing was. Molly's engines chugged along at 1200-1400 RPM, pushing her at a comfortable 6.5 knots into moderate seas. Her engine temps and oil pressure remained steady. We were on our way.
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| On our way to Little Sodus Bay and the start of Molly's 1,000-mile journey. |
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| Moderate seas mostly on the bow meant a fairly smooth ride. |
We motored into Little Sodus and tied up in front of Pleasant Beach Hotel just in time for dinner.
Leila wasn't too keen on having us leave her in the boat while we went ashore, and she quickly found a perch with a view.
The following morning we walked into town for breakfast at an old country store turned eatery, and then made a stop at the famous Fly By Night Cookie Company, known not just for its tasty treats but also for its peculiar miniature museum.
A few years ago I happened upon an article about a schooner being lovingly restored by her new owners. Her name was Sara B. As it turns out, she spends her summers moored in front of the Pleasant Beach Hotel. What a treat to see her in person. If you'd like to read more about her, click here: http://sarab.brownroad.com/ and https://www.woodenboat.com/register-wooden-boats/sara-b
Exiting Little Sodus Bay channel, we pointed Molly's bow toward Henderson Harbor and the Thousand Islands. Our trip for the day would cover a distance of approximately 40 NM, leaving Oswego to starboard, as we made a diagonal across Mexico Bay and gave Molly a second, and slightly more strenuous, shakedown.
Once again, Molly performed flawlessly. We dropped anchor in Henderson Harbor under cloudy skies and made plans to head to Sackets Harbor the following morning. The Captain grilled up some delicious steaks on his father's day present, a new Magma grill, and we all went to bed full and content, pleased with Molly's first two days of travel.
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